New York-based designer Robin Tomas: ‘Online retail provides a link to my fellow Filipinos’

MANILA, Philippines - New York-based Filipino fashion designer Robin Tomas launched his online store www.tomasnyc.com in a party held at The Vogt Gallery in New York City’s Chelsea art district last Nov. 25.

The celebration featured the designer’s latest collection of Holiday/Resort 2013 pieces for his ready-to-wear line, Tomas, which is available for international sales through the newly-opened online store. Aside from seeing the actual pieces, guests were able to view a fashion film which Tomas co-created with Canadian film director/photographer Evaan Kheraj.

The preserved French “Period Rooms” in New York’s Metropolitan Museum inspired the collection. Ornate and romantic decoration, along with Baroque interiors and tapestries, are echoed in cotton brocade dresses, in the lining of cashmere capes, and in opera ball gowns with cascading rose-petal ruffles.

Why an online store? Robin believes it is important to have an online retail presence in this age of quick access to information, services and products. He says, “How many times do you go online, either on your desktop computer or your phone these days?” Online access provides customers with instant access to a virtual store.

And in light of the tragedy in the Visayas Region, Tomas will donate 10 percent of all sales through the end of 2013 to rebuilding affected communities.

Robin graduated from the Parsons School of Design and won the Supima Design Awards, giving him the opportunity to sell his winning T-shirt design at Bloomingdales. In 2011, he launched his line to the New York retail market. He continues to sell to several boutiques in Manhattan. However, online retail, according to Tomas, “provides a link to my market, especially to my fellow Filipinos who are spread out in all the continents.”

For information, visit www.tomasnyc.com, follow @tomasnewyork on Twitter, or tomasnewyork on Instagram.